Business Segment and Geographic Information (Information About Reportable Segments) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 124,176	$ 129,134	$ 125,296	$ 120,155	$ 125,251	$ 146,295	$ 142,167	$ 134,628		$ 498,761	$ 548,341	$ 373,230
Segment operating income (loss)										25,664	53,482	31,575
Assets	760,024				677,628					760,024	677,628	482,598
Assets of continuing operations	759,278				676,785					759,278	676,785
Capital expenditures										(23,774)	(21,316)	(12,241)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction										27,130	26,308	15,700
Equity Method Investments	21,171				23,868					21,171	23,868	25,452
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures									100	4,743	5,451	8,658
High Performance Foams [Member] | Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales										179,421	177,645	149,671
Segment operating income (loss)										25,730	28,280	17,378
Assets	233,401				192,829					233,401	192,829	217,335
Capital expenditures										(4,947)	(5,325)	(3,679)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction										7,947	7,873	6,705
Equity Method Investments	21,171				23,868					21,171	23,868	25,452
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures										4,743	5,451	7,746
Printed Circuit Materials [Member] | Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales										161,893	166,424	141,055
Segment operating income (loss)										8,170	11,127	10,951
Assets	156,103				123,883					156,103	123,883	140,667
Capital expenditures										(12,849)	(5,901)	(5,825)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction										7,172	6,348	2,793
Equity Method Investments
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures
Other [Member] | Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales										23,168	24,038	40,445
Segment operating income (loss)										3,786	2,755	373
Assets	24,761				21,655					24,761	21,655	43,702
Capital expenditures										(232)	(728)	(1,132)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction										928	1,098	901
Equity Method Investments
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures												912
Curamik Electronics Solutions [Member] | Power Electronics Solutions [Member] | Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales										92,361	132,891
Segment operating income (loss)										(11,666)	7,842
Assets	262,039				265,346					262,039	265,346
Capital expenditures										(5,170)	(7,018)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction										8,807	9,126
Equity Method Investments
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures
Power Distribution Systems [Member] | Power Electronics Solutions [Member] | Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales										41,918	47,343	42,059
Segment operating income (loss)										(356)	3,478	2,873
Assets	82,974				73,072					82,974	73,072	80,894
Capital expenditures										(576)	(2,344)	(1,605)
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction										2,276	1,863	5,301
Equity Method Investments
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures